Ranked #87 in our countdown of ‘100 Ultimate Travel Experiences of a Lifetime’.

This magical city becomes even more evocative when the carnival comes to town.

Held on different dates each year to correspond with Shrove Tuesday (40 days before Easter), this is perhaps the world’s most famous masquerade party and has been celebrated in the floating city since the 15th century.

Almost everywhere you go, you’ll see locals and visitors alike dressed in extravagant baroque-style costumes and masks, so the people-watching is worth travelling for alone.

But there’s plenty more going on from parades, jousting tournaments, street performers, a procession of decorated gondolas and masquerade balls across the city.